Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Low Earth Orbit - Pushed - Atomic Records - 2003 Reviewed by: Nailer

Track Listing 1. Branded 2. Affliction 3. Broken Words 4. Go Back Now 5. Run 6. Mary 7. Ground Zero 8. Told Me (acoustic)

Hard rock is being good to me these days, I think. From a little Net searching, I came across some samples from Low Earth Orbit, a band from out of Tennessee here in the US. Low Earth Orbit began as the musical vision of guitarist/songwriter Anthony "Mad Max" Mcbrayer in 2000 and after several line-ups settled into the current line-up of Anthony, Dan Milas (drums), Dave Damewood (bass) and Josh Calhoun (vocals).

"Stoner rock" is what I've seen them listed under, but there really isn't a lot of drug references that would qualify the label. LEO is straight-up hard rock that would definately appeal to the classic rock favoring crowd. They have a 70's feel without the excessive jams and a modern sound without the commercialism and angsty baggage.

Josh Calhoun has a fantastic barritone voice and the deep bass and drums give the CD an heavy gravity feel that is thick and comfortable. "Branded" shuffles like the harder moments of Pearl Jam and "Affliction" could almost find company in Zakk Wylde's catalog. After the classic throwback of "Broken Words", the aggression settles down with a looser guitar stance and smoother vocal sections that reflect the rural roots of their home area.

"Go Back Now" grows more comforting on each listen, but "Run" is my top number on this one. It's catchy and the guitar work is awesome. Both "Mary" and "Ground Zero"--a World Trade Center Disaster tribute?--are infused with mournful longing and "Told Me" is acoustic Skynard that's completely genuine.

Bottom Line: Turn off your numbingly repetitive radio and search the Net. Bands like Low Earth Orbit are out there with music samples and reasonably priced CDs.

Score: 8 of 10

Link www.lowearthorbit.net


--Nailer 06.28.04